Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Tandem [2+2+2] Annulation-Lactamization of Anilides with Two Alkynoates via Cleavage of Two Adjacent C-H or C-H/C-O bonds

An electron-deficient Cp-E rhodium(III) complex bearing a cyclopentadienyl ligand with two ethyl ester substituents catalyzes the tandem [2+2+2] annulation-lactamization of acetanilides with two alkynoates via cleavage of adjacent two C-H bonds to give densely substituted benzo[cd]indolones. The reactions of meta-methoxy-substituted acetanilides with two alkynoates also provided benzo[cd] indolones via cleavage of adjacent C-H/C-O bonds. Furthermore, 3,5-dimethoxyacetanilides reacted with two alkynoates to give dearomatized spiro compounds.